Frozen River is the story of Ray Eddy, an upstate New York trailer mom who is lured into the world of illegal immigrant smuggling when she meets a Mohawk girl who lives on a reservation that straddles the U.S.-Canadian border. Broke after… MoreFrozen River is the story of Ray Eddy, an upstate New York trailer mom who is lured into the world of illegal immigrant smuggling when she meets a Mohawk girl who lives on a reservation that straddles the U.S.-Canadian border. Broke after her husband takes off with the down payment for their new doublewide, Ray reluctantly teams up with Lila, a smuggler, and the two begin making runs across the frozen St. Lawrence River carrying illegal Chinese and Pakistani immigrants in the trunk of Ray's Dodge Spirit.

I can't say exactly why this film so affected me, but it did. It was almost too real, viciously shot, plain and "boring" and heart-breaking… MoreI can't say exactly why this film so affected me, but it did. It was almost too real, viciously shot, plain and "boring" and heart-breaking enough that it could've been a Canadian film. Melissa Leo is believable, and from the opening shot - her smoking and crying in the car with the door hanging open, snow all around - you're hooked. Made me think of some of the bleaker films I've ever seen, and this one's just not uplifting in any way. A great, realistic story about the lengths people will go to for their children and their way of life, scrappy and well worth watching; strong, minimalist film-making that proves the budget isn't everything.

Dan Schultz

An absorbing although bleak story concerning a desperate single mom struggling to make it after her husband deserts her and their two kids. In order to pay the… MoreAn absorbing although bleak story concerning a desperate single mom struggling to make it after her husband deserts her and their two kids. In order to pay the bills she stumbles upon an opportunity to smuggle people in from Canada to the United States, where a frozen river means no border police and limited attention. This film wouldn't be nearly as good without Melissa Leo's extraordinary quietly intense portrayal of a woman whose world is collapsing and desperation is rearing its ugly head. It's never fun to watch and there is one little flaw with the story telling, but for the most part this is gripping stuff that doesn't for one minute feel artificial or that the actors in the film are acting. Leo is just so good in this movie - her weathered face and tired reactions capture all the stress and hurt her character has gone through in her life so far.

Gordon A

Low budget issue movie singled out by dint of its Oscar nominations but saying little new. Granted Leo gives a convincing portrait of a struggling single mother… MoreLow budget issue movie singled out by dint of its Oscar nominations but saying little new. Granted Leo gives a convincing portrait of a struggling single mother and her developing relationship with a Mohawk is well handled, but the switchback ending is contrived and it all felt a bit hackneyed.

Mark Hobin

Down on her luck single mother resorts to smuggling illegals into the U.S. in an effort to make ends meet. Film details a side of life in upstate New York,… MoreDown on her luck single mother resorts to smuggling illegals into the U.S. in an effort to make ends meet. Film details a side of life in upstate New York, near the Canadian border, rarely seen. Bleak, understated mood and wintry scenes intensify the grim subject matter effectively . Melissa Leo gives a perfectly natural performance and she's matched by Misty Upham who plays her unlikely partner in crime.

Arash Xak

A pointless film to say the least, More proof to the fact that being realistic is not enough for a movie to be good, The film depicts poverty & struggle… MoreA pointless film to say the least, More proof to the fact that being realistic is not enough for a movie to be good, The film depicts poverty & struggle without exploration or insight , It only tries to impress with its shallow bitterness & harshness and Fails

Wahida K

Desperation knows no borders.

Randy Tippy

Solid, character driven social drama about two impoverished single moms living on the US/Canadian border who become entangled in the smuggling of illegal aliens… MoreSolid, character driven social drama about two impoverished single moms living on the US/Canadian border who become entangled in the smuggling of illegal aliens into the United States. Top notch independent film-making. Good story, good direction, no frills and GREAT performances.

Drew Smith

It's taken me about a week to bring myself to write anything on Frozen River. I don't really know why that is - it's a strong film, an admirable… MoreIt's taken me about a week to bring myself to write anything on Frozen River. I don't really know why that is - it's a strong film, an admirable low-budget effort, and a worthy ground for a veteran actress to finally prove herself. Melissa Leo more than earns her Academy Award nomination here. I don't think the film really cohered to me in any way, though, primarily because of a lack of any notable aesthetic. Courtney Hunt wrote a knockout screenplay (also nominated with good reason) and works very well with her actresses, but there's nothing visual to drink in. Perhaps it's just difficult for me to approach such numbing squalor and there's no fault here but my own. And I'm sure there would have been far more room to innovate and decorate with more than half a million dollars. But Christopher Nolan and Darren Aronofsky managed to create visually captivating films on even less money.
Let's not draw false analogies here, though; those were imperfect films as well, and Frozen River's got enough strengths to justify watching it despite its weaknesses. Again, Leo effortlessly sells her character, making the film truly hard to watch for all her struggling and all her faults. She is hard-edged and almost humorless, but her determination to make things better for her children is something we can all relate to and the film works right there. Lila, played adequately by Misty Upham, is a strong sidekick just because she and Ray really don't like each other. The interplay between the two is tense but never empty; everyone here always has something to say.
Perhaps that's what I admire most about Frozen River. It singularly spanks I've Loved You So Long in terms of being a "quiet indie film" because the movie is ALWAYS making progress. Where the former movie bathed in its own languor, this one is examinatory, smart, not afraid to engage its viewer or throw itself out there. For that, I'd definitely call Frozen River a worthwhile watch, and eagerly await Courtney Hunt's (higher-budgeted, please!) next project.

Tony Gandía

Morose tale of monstrous behavior among the desperate is ably but not expertly assembled. Leo's fearless performance is what stops Frozen from not melting… MoreMorose tale of monstrous behavior among the desperate is ably but not expertly assembled. Leo's fearless performance is what stops Frozen from not melting into mediocrity.

paul sandberg

a truer film will be hard to find. Every scene breathes real, real people in real situations trying to survive when given a bad hand.
No overglorified… Morea truer film will be hard to find. Every scene breathes real, real people in real situations trying to survive when given a bad hand.
No overglorified speaches, and the only redemption comes from within. The film is gritty and true in so many different ways as a woman whose gambling husband has robbed her and her two children and then taken a powder, leading her into trafficking illegals across the canadian border in order to make ends meet. Great performances abound, from her fifteen year old son who want to quit school and get a job, to the denizens of the Mohawk reservation, exhibiting a stoicism and wisdom that is simply "there" and not glorified.
The culture clash adds an additional dimension in what is a wonderful charactor study.

Dean McKenna

Melissa Leo's role as a trailer park single mum in <i>Frozen River</i> ranked her amongst esteemed company the likes of Kate Winslet and Meryl… MoreMelissa Leo's role as a trailer park single mum in <i>Frozen River</i> ranked her amongst esteemed company the likes of Kate Winslet and Meryl Streep. This gripping drama about risk, desperation and survival is an undiscovered gem and highly recommended.

Aaron Neuwirth

Ray: What about police?
Lila: They wont pull you over, your white.
Here's a story set on the border between New York and Canada, around a Mohawk… MoreRay: What about police?
Lila: They wont pull you over, your white.
Here's a story set on the border between New York and Canada, around a Mohawk reservation. It involves two women, both single mothers with problems that can be helped with the high payments involved in smuggling people over the border.
Ray, played fantastically by Mellissa Leo, is a mother of two, who is working to move out of a trailer and into new home. Unfortunately, her gambling-addicted husband has left town the week of Christmas, taking the money with him.
Lila is a widowed Mohawk women, whose mother-in-law has taken her son. She stumbles upon Ray's husband's car, as well as Ray, and the two form an unlikely bond.
Essentially Lila tricks Ray into helping her smuggle people, and the two begin a relationship for the sake of the money, with possible danger on the horizon.
I love a serious toned movie that is set in a snowy environment. The way this kind of atmosphere is captured, when its done well, always brings me closer into the state of mind of the characters and story. Its a neat feeling, but the effect snow can have in a serious film works.
This is a very good movie, working mainly due to the very good performances by the two mothers. Its low budget but still looks very good. Its not flashy, just well put together. The material is steeped in drama, but its an absorbing film.
Ray: What are they?
Lila: Packies.
Ray: What's that?
Lila: Means they're from Pakistan.
Ray: Well where the fuck's that?
Lila: I don't know, just open the trunk.